Afton, think it's just you and me on this. Can't seem to find haydite block in Texas. Did you get it from a builder's supply? You said it was not as stout as cement block. This room I am trying to build is like a tower...9'x9' with a second floor that will go another 7' and vent to a cupola at the top. Would you say haydite will be able to support that?

Posted By Ray Gladstone on 03 Jul 2011 11:40 AM
Hate to say it, but if you're trying to find a cheap house, why don't you just go buy a foreclosure somewhere and fuggetaboutit?

cheap? no sir! i am trying to SAVE money. the money that I save will stay in the house, just different parts. I've got a perty large budget, just dont wanna throw it all away on the shell.

Blavis, Maybe we can get your thread back on track b4 it gets completely derailed. Had an estimates of $120K to $140K to build 3300sf footprint including footings to top of 6" ICF walls. 16 corners and a few T-walls. Slab on grade, no basement. By reducing the footprint to 3100sf, eliminating T's and taking walls from 10' to 9' and DIY. we're planning to get the walls up and slab done for for a little over half those figures $65-$75K.

My wife and I have hands on experience on a number of ICF homes and structures, so we're confident we can build our home. we have the time, inclination and desire to save some bucks which could be used elsewhere in the home as well. Now the entire home won't be completed in 6 months, but we plan to get it closed in within 60 months. then take our time getting the inside walls and finishes done. The exterior we can paint the colors of the rainbow until we decide between stone or stucco.

If you're young and working with children still running around and building all or part of a house would would run you ragged, you might consider the physical and psychological impacts of DIY. If you plan to live in the house for a long time then it might well be worth considering DIY.

And what the others said about the design complexity. Simpler will be easie...r

If you're young and working with children still running around and building all or part of a house would would run you ragged, you might consider the physical and psychological impacts of DIY. If you plan to live in the house for a long time then it might well be worth considering DIY.

Pretty good summary. We were in our mid 20's in 1971, built 5300 sqft house, moved in in '74. Full time day job. Kids 5 and 3 YO at the start.

Best experience in our lives, had the energy then to go 16 hour days.

Grandkids are teenagers, hope to retire this year and build a small 1000 Sqft house (100% all) with the grandkids next summer.

However, DW says she is to 'decrepit' now for that kinda thing.

The YOUNG part of the quote is the key!